The Everything Guide to Belt-Tightening

Nicky’s Classic Bánh Mì
Nicky’s has two things the cheaper Chinatown competition doesn’t have: a couple of tables to linger at and a portobello bánh mì for vegetarians ($4.50 for the classic, $5 for the portobello; 150 E. 2nd St., nr. Ave. A; 212-388-1088).

Piece of Chicken
It’s all about the Washingtons at this Hell’s Kitchen takeout window. Everything from a scoop of black-eyed peas to a good piece of golden fried chicken is a dollar (630 Ninth Ave., window on 45th St.; 212-582-5973).

Naples 45 Pizza
Weekdays, from 2 to 5 p.m., the criminally undersung pizza at this midtown trattoria is sold by the giant slice with a soda for $2.25 (200 Park Ave., at 45th St.; 212-972-7001; takeout counter only).

Pork-and-Chive Dumplings at Fried Dumpling
Now that its chief competitor, Eldridge Street’s Dumpling House, has renovated and jacked its price up to four dumplings for a dollar, the five-for-a-buck Fried Dumpling deal seems even sweeter (99 Allen St., nr. Delancey St.; 212-941-9975).

Yatagan’s Falafel Sandwich
It might not be the best falafel sandwich in town—or even on Macdougal Street—but at $2, it’s the cheapest (104 Macdougal St., nr. Bleecker St.; 212-677-0952).